For Parents - ADCO :: The Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario

What is ADCO and who are its members?

The Association of Day Care Operators (ADCO) is the industry association that represents the owners and managers of independent, licensed child care programs in the province of Ontario. The licensed child care programs our members operate come in all sizes. Some are very small, accepting fewer than twenty children. Others span multiple locations, with over 100 children registered at each centre. Some of our members run their programs on a commercial basis as businesses, while others run them as not-for-profit corporations. Many ADCO member centres are small businesses owned and operated by women, who are also RECEs, Ontario Certified Teachers or who have other advanced credentials in child health or education. No matter what the size or structure of their programs, ADCO members are committed to building a better world, one family at a time.

Important information for all parentsIt is important to be an informed consumer when it comes to child care. ADCO believes that the more you know about the child care industry and how it's regulated, the better able you are to make choices that are appropriate for your child. Child care centres and home child care agencies are licensed by the Ministry of Education. Being licensed means that the centre or home child care agency must uphold all of the standards outlined in the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), which replaced the Day Nurseries Act in August of 2015. The Ministry of Education inspects each licensed centre or home child care agency annually to ensure that this is the case. The results of these inspections are published on the Ministry of Education web site and are accessible to the public. Here are some things all parents need to know:1) You can check to see if a child care program is licensed or not by visiting the Ontario Ministry of Education web site at: http://www.iaccess.gov.on.ca/LCCWWeb/childcare/search.xhtml 2) If you have concerns about your child's care provider, you may report these concerns to the Ministry of Education Child Care Quality Assurance and Licensing Office in your area. This applies whether or not the child care program is located in a centre or in a home, or whether it is licensed or not. Contact information for Ministry of Education licensing offices can be found here: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/offices.html 3) In order to be licensed, an individual providing care in his or her home must be affiliated with a licensed home child care agency. If this is the case, the parent would typically arrange the care through the agency and pay the agency directly, not the caregiver. If a caregiver asks for cash or a cheque made out to their own name, it may be a tip-off that the caregiver is unlicensed. Licensed home child care agencies are also listed on the Ministry of Education web site.4) If you wish to learn more about the standards outlined in the Child Care and Early Years Act, you may do so here: http://www.earlyyears.edu.gov.on.ca/EYPortal/en/ChildCareLicensing/CCEYASelfTest/index.htmFor your convenience, we've compiled a number of articles to help you know what to look for when selecting a child care provider. If at any time you require further information, please contact ADCO at 1-800-567-7075.